Super Junior’s Shindong has revealed the surprising story behind how he became a trainee at SM Entertainment, one of Korea’s biggest entertainment agencies.
During his appearance on the JTBC variety show “Knowing Bros”, Shindong shared that he originally planned to audition as a dancer, but his career took an unexpected turn.
“I went to the SM audition intending to dance,” he recalled, “but one of the staff members suggested I try out for the comedy category instead. I did and ended up placing first.”
The audience erupted in laughter when Sunmi, who was also an SM trainee at the time, added that while they often met at a hamburger shop during practice, she jokingly didn’t think Shindong’s audition was “grand prize material.”
Despite the lighthearted moment, Shindong’s story highlighted the unconventional start of his two-decade-long career with Super Junior, one of K-pop’s most iconic groups.
Debuting in 2005, Shindong has since become known not only for his comedic charm but also for his versatility as a dancer, MC, and TV personality, proving that his unique entry into SM Entertainment was the start of an unforgettable journey.